1923 US Crossed Non Stop

 

US Army Lietuenants Oakley Kelly and John MacRady flew non-stop across the United States. The flight was made in a Fokker T-2. It ook 26 hours and 50 minutes to make the trip. It stared in Long Island and ended in San Diego.

 On May 2-3, 1923, U.S. Army Lieutenants Oakley Kelly and John Macready completed the first successful non-stop transcontinental flight across the United States. The flight was conducted in a Fokker T-2, a single-engine monoplane designed specifically for long-distance flights. The journey, which lasted 26 hours and 50 minutes, marked a significant milestone in aviation history.

The flight began at Mitchel Field on Long Island, New York, and ended at Rockwell Field in San Diego, California, covering a distance of approximately 2,470 miles. This achievement demonstrated the feasibility of long-distance, non-stop air travel and underscored the growing reliability of modern aircraft and navigation techniques.

To make the flight possible, the Fokker T-2 underwent several modifications. Its wingspan of 81 feet provided sufficient lift to carry heavy fuel loads, while its Liberty L-12 engine, producing 400 horsepower, enabled sustained flight over the extended duration. The aircraft carried over 700 gallons of fuel, stored in tanks specially installed in the fuselage, which allowed for the record-breaking journey.

The flight posed numerous challenges, including the need for precise navigation with limited instruments, unpredictable weather conditions, and the physical strain of continuous operation in an unpressurized, open cockpit. Kelly and Macready took turns piloting the aircraft, ensuring that one could rest while the other remained at the controls. Despite these challenges, they successfully completed the journey without refueling or landing.